I hate Windows Explorer and I hate Mac OS X Finder, but what I hate even more is when applications try to replace them by moving all the files into a new, more app-friendly structure. Plenty of examples on the Mac-side, I am, not sadly, no longer an expert on Windows software.
The problem with the Finder / Explorer is that, while they are perfectly suitable for storing and organising files, they are painfully lacking in presenting files in a way that a human or group of humans can understand. The problem / opportunity is also that Explorer/Finder is the standard in as far that every organisation uses it to organise their files. Replacing it by a information system that uses its own proprietary structure to organise files, people, and activities just adds to the learning curve, particularly if, as most experience shows, the software ends up not being that great and the company has to switch.
So, what I’m looking for is the following. An application that:
- works on Macs and PCs (The first is not an absolute prerequisite, it’s only because I work on a Mac)
- Better: is either web- or LAN-based (solves the cross-platform problem)
- acts as a front-end for the explorer, without actually changing the locations of files (except if a user wants it)
- allows users to:
- sort files into “playlists,” again without changing the location of the files;
- give long descriptions to files, not just available in a hidden “info” section;
- assign files and tasks to groups and group-members;
- assign due dates / sync with calendars;
- etc. etc., you get the idea.
- Can certainly cost money, must be licensable on a company-basis, and must have a trial period of at least 3 months (it takes at least that long to deploy, adopt, and adapt it on an organisational level).
It’s such an obvious thing that such a software probably already exists. If you know of a good one, please let me know in the comments or per mail.
Vincent
The only thing that resembles what you’re after is Microsoft’s SharePoint, but I hate that piece of shit so much that even mentioning it opens up the wounds I already thought had healed.
Comment by Kari — June 1, 2009 @ 09:14
I haven’t used it, but being the eternal consumer-minded person that I am, I thought about how software like iTunes allows you to manage and manipulate your music, without necessarily caring about where you put it. I’d like something like that AND that it should be collaborative.
Comment by Vincent van Wylick — June 2, 2009 @ 13:07